SPARK July 2014 | Page 18

Dug the Dinosaur Dug the dinosaur lived in a cave on the edge of a large, flat, dusty plain. He had huge teeth, sharp claws and small friendly eyes. Dug was a nice dinosaur and was never mean or nasty. He loved watching the birds fly outside, and wished he could fly with them. Dug wasn’t like the other dinosaurs because his legs didn’t work properly, so Dug couldn’t even walk. Whenever the other dinosaurs went to hunt, Dug was left behind. He hated being left behind. Before the hunt every dinosaur would line up for a race and whoever won would be in charge that day. Dug dreamed of winning, just once, but he knew it was impossible so he sat and watched instead. Dug had a best friend. His name was Og, and he was not like a dinosaur at all! Og was small, soft and pink with a rug of tangled hair on his head. He didn’t have claws or teeth like Dug, but he had quick thoughts and clever hands. His long thin 18 | SPARK fingers and short fat thumbs were perfect for making things. You could say he looked more or less like you and me. Og was an inventor. Dug marvelled at the wonderful things Og thought up. He made big things and small things, and square things and round things. Dug loved them all, but his favourite was the pair of huge, wooden wings to turn you into a bird. Unfortunately, Og hadn’t been able to figure out how to make them work, so they lay at the back of his cave along with many other inventions. Og’s family made fun of his things, so Og spent most of his time in Dug’s cave, making and thinking and thinking and making. One hot day, as the dawn rose and the dinosaurs met, Dug was already waiting excitedly for the race to begin. Those who weren’t taking part stood by the edges of the canyon that opened out onto the scorched plain. The biggest, strongest dinosaurs lined up to race. Elder Big, the largest, oldest dinosaur among them, stomped from his cave to start the race. As silence fell he let out a gigantic ROAAARRR! Every dinosaur dashed forwards. Several tripped and fell, others ran out of steam too soon, until it was between two dinosaurs. Mog and Lug. They were were neck to neck! And then suddenly with a roar Lug leapt forwards over the finish line! It was over. Lug had won. 19 | SPARK